Term 3 Sports Snapshot

The winter sports teams were thrilled to be able to take to the water, courts and fields again with the lifting of some COVID-restrictions. Like many things, the seasons were reimagined in terms of spectators and some behaviours (no sporting handshakes!) but all the athletes made the most of their respective competitions.

Hockey Hockey saw fantastic participation numbers for Junior and Opens teams this season. Having this depth of players and experience meant that St Margaret’s was competitive in all QGSSSA fixtures. Both Open and Junior teams secured three and four wins respectively and finished fifth overall in their respective competitions. The standard of coaching was exceptional this season, with the Opens team guided by the returning Pretsel Morar and the Juniors benefitting from the talent and experience of Jade Smith. The top scorer in the Junior team was Year 7 student Bronte Lahy. In the Opens matches, the goals were shared amongst many squad members, with Lily-Kate Charles and Lilly Campbell particularly prolific in front of goal. A highlight of the short but successful season was the cohesion between the two squads. Hockey Captains Rebecca Lauder and Lily-Kate Charles, and senior player Isobel Barry, led by example and were integral in making 2020 one of the most inclusive and successful seasons yet. Netball Every challenge creates opportunity and the St Margaret’s netball community grabbed every opportunity the 2020 netball season provided with both hands and the occasional elbow. Over 220 girls nominated to play QGSSSA Netball and sixteen teams took to the courts. With no spectators, the players created their own atmosphere. Both the 9B and 9C teams achieved an undefeated top of the table season, while 7C came second and the Opens finished third. Alice O’Driscoll was named in the Queensland Under 17s squad. Darcy Bichel, Lauren Packer and Emily Millar were selected for Metropolitan North trials with Emily going on to represent Metropolitan North at the state titles in Brisbane. In addition, two teams qualified to compete in the Vicki Wilson Tournament. Volleyball The QGSSSA volleyball season was extremely short this year; however, the school fielded Years 7, 8, 9, Senior A and Open teams. The Year 7, Senior A and Open teams were very excited to be the first group to use the Philip Harris Gym for their final training session. The girls had a wonderful season, developing their volleyball skills each week and always being competitive during their games. The Year 7 and Year 9 teams showed a great deal of potential and it is hoped they continue to play over the coming years. Both the Senior A and Open teams worked very hard during trainings under the watchful eye of coach Ingrid Rodini. St Margaret’s was also very privileged to have Caitlin Bettenay join the coaching team. She is a member of the Australian National Indoor Volleyball team and competed in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Qualification Tournament.

Rowing In a year of uncertainty and challenges, the St Margaret’s rowing team certainly stepped up to the plate with a memorable regatta season and Head of the River. The regatta livestream coverage allowed everyone to witness the medal tally mounting throughout the morning’s races, to see St Margaret’s ultimately crowned Aggregate Cup winners. Of the 18 events on offer, St Margaret’s achieved podium finishes in 13, placing second in the Year 9 age group and winning the Year 10 and Senior age groups. An unforgettable send-off the day before Head of River was truly electrifying and helped the rowers hold onto the Maggies spirit out at the eerily quiet spectator-less Lake Wyaralong. Another season highlight was watching the Year 8s in their first rowing season take to the water and achieve so much in such a short space of time. Tennis The tennis season saw great improvement of players across the board. The Senior C team was undefeated across all games played and every team saw an improvement in the ladder placings with the following results: Open – 7th Senior A – 6th Senior B – 3rd Senior C – 2nd Junior A – 4th Junior B – 5th Junior C – 5th The St Margaret’s Cup was played in Term 3 with the following players crowned the winners: Senior - Isabel Vittone-Taylor Intermediate – Jane Haeusler Junior – Ember Tomlinson. Athletics The St Margaret’s athletics team put in some amazing individual achievements and plenty of personal bests on championship day, which saw the team place third in the Percentage Cup and fifth overall, just eighteen points behind fourth place. Highlights of the day included the following girls securing first place in their events: Charli Spies (12 Years) – 800m B Division Ebony Okonkwo (13 Years) Long Jump A Division Milla Roberts (13 Years) – 400m; 800m B Division Daisy Brown (14 Years) – Discus B Division Brogan Tomich (14 Years) – 90m Hurdles Lucinda Bourke (15 Years) – Javelin A Division Isabella Harte (15 Years) – Open 3000m Gabrielle Geldard (17 Years) – 100m B Division